cgiarNews w w w . c g i a r . o r g J u l y 2 0 0 5 33148 Nourishing the future through scientific excellence In this Issue WorldFish Center Scientist Wins WorldFish Center Scientist Wins 2005 World Food Prize: 2005 World Food Prize 1 Chairman and Director's Message 2 Research effort brings "Blue Royal Accolade for CIFOR Scientist 3 Announcements 3 Revolution" to Poor People Reforms Continue in the CGIAR Modadugu V. Gupta, a fisheries scientist through the Work of the Alliance 4 from India, won the 2005 World Food China-CGIAR Partnership Receives Prize. He was cited for "Providing a Boost 5 enhanced nutrition to millions of the From the Science Council Chair 6 poor around the globe through his work Quality Protein Maize in at The WorldFish Center," and for "Pioneering breeding of carp and other Northwestern India: pond fish adaptable to a variety of differ- Full of Protein and Potential 7 ent environments in rural areas, from May 30 is National Day of the Bangladesh to the Mekong Basin coun- Potato in Peru 7 tries, thereby helping millions of small- Creative Thinking Brings Hope holder farmers gain access to innovative to Thousands 8 aquaculture techniques in Southeast Asia HarvestPlus and Brazil Team-Up on and beyond." Biofortification 10 "Fish is food for millions of poor people Advancing Women's Leadership in developing countries and a vital source in the CGIAR 10 of protein," said Ian Johnson, CGIAR Fighting, and Winning the Chairman and World Bank Vice President War against Green Plague 11 for Sustainable Development. "Dr. Gupta's remarkable research achievements Planting Seeds of Agrobiodiversity demonstrate how science-based solutions can benefit poor people." Conservation in Young Minds 11 Reversing Soil Degradation in "Winning the World Food Prize is an honor not only to me but to the WorldFish Southeast Asia through Low-Cost Center," said the winner, with typical modesty, adding "I am thankful to the many people who supported me in the countries where I have worked." Clay-based Technologies 12 NERICAs gather Momentum 13 In a career spanning 15 years, Dr. Gupta's research efforts led to the development CGIAR Forging Ahead with of low-input, low-cost aquaculture technologies that allow poor farmers to inte- Public-Private Partnerships 14 grate fish-growing in their activities, a "Blue Revolution" that is increasing the Adapting to climate change: incomes and nutritional well-being of millions of poor farming families in Asia. Fish a Q&A with Louis Verchot 14 harvests have increased three to five-fold in Bangladesh, Laos, and other countries In Memoriam - Ravindra Tadvalkar 15 in Southeast Asia. Continued on page 12 CGIAR C O N S U L T A T I V E G R O U P O N I N T E R N A T I O N A L A G R I C U L T U R A L R E S E A R C H CGIAR Chairman Ian Johnson Message from the Chairman CGIAR Director Francisco Reifschneider and Director CGIAR Members African Development Bank Dear Colleague: Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development Asian Development Bank Australia We are pleased to present the July edition of CGIAR News. An e-version is available Austria at www.cgiar.org. Bangladesh Belgium Brazil We are delighted that this edition reports on major scientific achievements by the Canada CGIAR Centers and partners. China Colombia Commission of the European Community On June 10, Modadugu Gupta of India, former Assistant Director, International Côte d'Ivoire Relations and Partnerships, WorldFish Center was named winner of the prestigious Denmark Arab Republic of Egypt 2005 World Food Prize. Dr. Gupta's pioneering work is helping bring the "Blue Finland Revolution" to poor people in some of the most populous parts of Asia. He is the Food and Agriculture Organization eleventh CGIAR scientist to receive this honor, and the prize has garnered wide cov- of the United Nations Ford Foundation erage in mainstream media across the world. France Germany CGIAR scientists and partners featured prominently among the winners of the 2005 Gulf Cooperation Council India Development Marketplace, another indicator of the quality and effectiveness of sci- Indonesia ence practiced in the CGIAR Centers. Three projects were among 31 innovative Inter-American Development Bank projects chosen in this global competition. At a time of growing recognition of the International Development Research Centre International Fund for Agricultural Development importance of agriculture in meeting the development challenges of the 21st century Islamic Republic of Iran including Millennium Development Goals, these successes spell hope for poor farm- Ireland ing communities all over the world. Israel Italy Japan Looking ahead, plans are proceeding apace for the Annual General Meeting 2005 Kellogg Foundation scheduled for December 5­8, 2005 in Marrakech. Morocco. We have an ambitious Kenya Republic of Korea agenda in place, including a Science Forum on "Global Agricultural Science for Luxembourg Impact." We applaud the commitment, energy, and enthusiasm of our Moroccan Malaysia partners, including Hamid Narjisse and his colleagues at INRA. Mexico Morocco Netherlands Interest in agricultural research and the role of science and technology in develop- New Zealand ment is at an all time high, including in major publications such as the United Nigeria Norway Nations' report, In larger freedom. The Commission for Africa, the Millennium Task OPEC Fund for International Development Force on Hunger, and the Inter-Academy Panel have all cited the importance of agri- Pakistan culture for achieving sustainable development. These developments bode well for Peru Philippines the CGIAR. Portugal Rockefeller Foundation Finally, thanks to the support of CGIAR Members, we are pleased that CGIAR Romania Russian Federation financing was $453 million in 2004, the highest ever. South Africa Spain We wish you a restful summer. As always, we welcome comments at Sweden Switzerland cgiar@cgiar.org Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture Syrian Arab Republic Sincerely, Thailand Turkey Uganda United Kingdom United Nations Development Programme United Nations Environment Programme Ian Johnson Francisco Reifschneider United States of America Chairman Director World Bank 2 cgiarNews Royal Accolade for CIFOR Scientist Dr. Ravi Prabhu, CIFOR Scientist received the Queen's Award for Forestry at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his contributions to forestry and the development of forestry within Commonwealth countries. The citation noted his "outstanding contributions to work on sustainable forest management," saying that "He has been a pioneer in championing a new approach to forests, one that argues forest management is a dynamic practice which must adjust and adapt as the circumstances, uses and perceptions of forest change. He is a particularly strong advocate for transforming public sector forestry institutions into more dynamic, transparent and account- able, learning-based organizations. A writer, speaker, teacher, and facilitator, Dr. Prabhu has committed himself to bringing together industrial forestry, community forestry, and government organisations. Many young leaders in Asia and Africa have benefited greatly from working with Dr. Prabhu, who is highly regarded for his tireless efforts in mentoring young scientists in developing countries." Ravi is highly regarded for his contributions to many of CIFOR's most important achievements that have con- tributed greatly to the forestry sectors of a number of Commonwealth countries, including Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, Dr. Ravi Prabhu explains his work to Her Majesty The Queen. Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Announcements Welcome to New Board Chairs CGIAR Publications New Report Available Gaston Grenier, Africa Rice Center, The following updated CGIAR publica- succeeding Richard Musangi tions are available from the Tony Gregson, IPGRI, succeeding Secretariat. Please send your request Benchaphun Ekasingh Shinawatra to cgiar@cgiar.org Online Awards · CGIAR Corporate Brochure, May The 2004 Annual Report of the CGIAR System Office is now available online. Ismail Cakmak, CIMMYT Board mem- 2005 (in Arabic, Chinese, English It is a useful compendium of service ber, was awarded the 2005 IFA and Japanese) offerings and achievements of the International Crop Nutrition Award in · Good News on the CGIAR, May eight units that are working together recognition of his contribution to 2005 to enhance the CGIAR's performance. human well-being and innovative crop · Snapshot of CGIAR Impacts, May research. 2005 The report is available at: www.cgiar.org/soar/2004/index.html July 2005 3 News & Views Reforms Continue in the CGIAR through the Work of the Alliance Meeting together for the first time since formally resolving to implementation of joint programs with the private sector. develop new ways to work together and better enhance their During the May meeting, the Alliance approved the "Guidelines collective framework via formation of an Alliance, the for Collaboration with the Private Sector" which will serve as a Committees of the Alliance of the Future Harvest Centers of first step toward more substantive interaction with all Centers. the CGIAR met at the WorldFish Center, May 4­6, in Penang, A high level meeting is planned in Washington, D.C. September Malaysia. The Chair of the Committee of Center Board Chairs 29­30, 2005. (CBC), Professor Uzo Mokwunye, emphasized the importance of the ongoing reforms for the CGIAR System and the role of Progress was also made on a plant genetic resource policy, as the Centers. He stressed the need for both the CBC and the the Centers endorsed a common set of agreements between Alliance Executive (formerly the Center Directors Committee) themselves and the governing body of the International Treaty to actively contribute to these reforms, in order to ensure the on Plant Genetic Resources for Agriculture (with plans for new CGIAR remained relevant and proactive in meeting the needs Material Transfer Agreements) for the materials held in trust and of the poor and the hungry by exploring ways to enhance viewed as global public goods by the Centers. The Committees and build upon partnerships (both within and without the also approved guiding principles for the development of protec- CGIAR). tion against transgenes in Center collections. The Centers were requested to institute procedures for their specific crops, as war- The Alliance's fresh initiative underway includes developing ranted. These guidelines can be found on more effective collaborative decision-making processes as the www.ipgri.cgiar.org/Policy/GMOWorkshop/default.asp basis for improved cross-Center collaborations. One area for specific action is the substantial progress made on two Sub- The Chair of the Alliance Executive, Dr. William Dar, emphasized Saharan Africa sub-regional Medium Term Plans: one for that the Centers were geared up for the challenges before them Eastern and Southern Africa (in close collaboration with ASARE- and were encouraged by the new opportunities. He said that CA and SADC/FANR), and a second for West and Central Africa the Alliance would continue to build upon earlier reforms and (working in concert collaboration with CORAF-WECARD). Under respond quickly to the necessary changes, in order for the the guidance of the Executive Council, progress is accelerating. Centers to enhance their effectiveness and capacity for action in A high level consultation with FARA, Sub-Regional Organizations a changing world. and NARS in Entebbe, Uganda takes this process further. Working with the CGIAR Secretariat, the Alliance has engaged Uzo Mokwunye in a dialogue with the Private Sector Committee (PSC) to find William Dar ways of enhancing closer interactions and the planning and 4 cgiarNews China-CGIAR Partnership Receives a Boost The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) hosted a In presenting an overview of the China-CGIAR partnership, seminar "Agricultural Research for Development in the 21st Francisco Reifschneider, CGIAR Director, urged participants to Century: Opportunities for Strengthening the China-CGIAR consider rapidly accelerating the pace of scientific change as Partnership," in April. well as the changing contexts in which agricultural research for development is being practiced. He called for greater collabora- "The development of agricultural science and technology in tion, dialogue, and new modalities of working. He noted China cannot be separated from the CGIAR," said Li CGIAR is a small, but effective platform for mobilizing science Zhangdong, Director General of International Cooperation, and encouraged participants to think more expansively about Ministry of Agriculture, in opening remarks. "There exists great mobilizing resources--intellectual, scientific, and technical--not potential for further cooperation." Dr. Zhai Huqu, President, just financial. CAAS, welcomed participants and called on them to "broaden and diversify cooperation with the CGIAR." He delivered his A session co-chaired by Zhang Lijian (CAAS) and Masa Iwanaga remarks in Chinese, and Gong Xifeng, CAAS, provided simulta- featured technical presentations from CGIAR Centers (CIMMYT, neous translation ably. CIP, ICRISAT, IFPRI, ILRI, IPGRI, IRRI and World Agroforestry Centre). From China, presentations were made by senior scien- The seminar attracted over 50 Chinese participants (from tists of China National Rice Research Institute, Institute of Crop Ministry of Agriculture, CAAS, and Chinese Academy of Forestry Sciences, Chinese Academy of Forestry Sciences, Institute of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences) who joined Agricultural Economics, Institute of Livestock Research, and CGIAR partners for a sharing of experiences, and identifying Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences. topics for strengthened collaboration between Chinese centers of excellence and CGIAR Centers. Over the course of the next 12 months, a visioning exercise to determine priorities will be completed. In addition, knowledge- "The CGIAR has a proud history of partnership with China," sharing activities will be further strengthened through a China- said Masa Iwanaga, Director General, CIMMYT, speaking on CGIAR fellowship program, public awareness activities including behalf of the Future Harvest Centers. "This strong base of part- media training for CAAS scientists, and a joint publications pro- nership is built on shared values and understanding, and we gram. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Ren look forward to a new era of China-CGIAR collaboration." Wang (IRRI). July 2005 5 From the Science Council Chair Among the questions asked about the 3. What's out? The glib answer is that have flexibility to "think outside the Science Council-led effort to identify what is not explicitly included is not a box". Maintaining a proper balance system priorities for CGIAR research, priority. We have tried to identify what between a sharp system focus on prior- six were common. I will try to give a should be prioritized rather than what ity research and the freedom to inno- brief answer to each of them. should not. The latter becomes an out- vate outside the system priority areas come of the former. The Science through exploratory research, is of crit- 1. Why priorities? The funds currently Council will scrutinize the Centers' ical importance for the CGIAR. The available for CGIAR research are minis- Medium Term Plans and suggest to Science Council recommends that 10 cule relative to what is needed to ful- each Center which research activities percent of the CGIAR funding be allo- fill the CGIAR goal. We (the Science should be either phased out over the cated to exploratory research. The Council) believe that the CGIAR will three-year transition period or included remaining 10 percent is meant for free- achieve the greatest impact by focus- in the 20 percent of the CGIAR budg- standing capacity strengthening activi- ing on a small number of well-defined et, that is outside the priority areas. ties and development activities closely research areas instead of spreading the The Future Harvest Centers currently related to priority research. resources among a large number of spend a significant portion of their more or less related research and resources on development and emer- 5. How will the system priorities be development activities. gency relief activities rather than implemented? We suggest that a research. Such activities are surely stakeholder discussion on implementa- 2. What's new? First, the suggested important but other organizations exist tion issues take place as soon as the approach which has developed a to do them. Much of the development priorities are agreed upon. small number of system priorities is work consists of country-specific proj- new. This is very different from cur- ects that are neither research nor inter- 6. How will the system priority research rent practice where the system's pri- national public goods. While some of be funded? There are basically two orities consist of an aggregation of these projects are logical extensions of ways. First, a continuation of current the individual Center activities and research done by the Centers, much is bilateral funding arrangements plans. Second, we are suggesting that simply projects for which money was between individual Centers and indi- our research be more sharply focused available. The Future Harvest Centers vidual donors in which the only condi- on income and wealth creation should not become consulting firms in tion stipulated by the donor would be among the rural poor, with increasing which availability of project funds dic- that the funds are used for priority emphasis on high-value crops, live- tate the priorities. The world's foremost research, or specific priorities identified stock, and fish. Third, to help low- publicly funded international agricul- in each Center's Medium Term Plan. income countries benefit from global- tural research alliance should focus on This would give each Center the flexi- ization, the CGIAR should prioritize what it is best at, namely the creation bility to allocate its resources within research on agricultural and food of international public goods type the priority research it has agreed to markets at the national and interna- knowledge and technology and leave do, instead of having to deal with a tional level, including research to help the development projects and research large number of small projects, which small farmers meet food safety and that is unlikely to benefit many devel- might lead to misallocation of other quality requirements. Fourth, oping countries to others. The Future resources and excessive transactions we believe that our research on natu- Harvest Centers should help strengthen costs. Second, donors could decide to ral resources should be closely linked national agricultural systems through allocate funding to the system, rather with productivity enhancement and collaboration and training, instead of than selected Centers, for research on undertaken in an integrated manner, doing their work for them. In our sug- system priorities in general or for iden- primarily at the landscape level. Fifth, gested priorities, the Science Council tified priorities. This would require a we are emphasizing research on two aims at strategic research which will new mechanism for allocation to abiotic stresses: drought and salinity. facilitate pro-poor development in Centers and system priorities. Such an Sixth, we emphasize both quantity many low-income countries. approach is currently being discussed and quality improvements in genetic by a CGIAR task force. The two fund- enhancement, and seventh, we want 4. What is included in the 20 percent? ing approaches can operate side to strengthen CGIAR activities aimed Good research takes place in an envi- by side. at sustainable management of biodi- ronment of innovation, in which versity. research institutions and researchers Per Pinstrup-Andersen 6 cgiarNews Quality Protein Maize in Northwestern India: Full of Protein and Potential A new, early-maturing, quality protein maize hybrid developed "Using this approach, by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) could pro- we were able to devel- vide small-scale farmers with bigger harvests and better nutri- op the quality protein tional quality. Raman Babu, the maize breeder who developed maize hybrid in less the new hybrid using a combination of biotechnology and con- than half the time it ventional methods, hopes it will improve livelihoods and food would have taken using security in the northwestern hills of India, where many depend only conventional selection Subsistence farmers like this one, on maize as a staple. methods," Babu says. After who live in isolated regions of South Asia near the Himalayas, passing national trials in the use all the maize they grow either "Quality protein maize grain has almost twice the lysine and next one or two years, the as food or as feed for farm ani- tryptophan of normal maize," says Babu, who works at ICAR's new hybrid should be avail- mals. They should benefit from Vivekananda Institute of Hill Agriculture, in Almora, Uttaranchal able to farmers at a nominal both the high yields and the State, India. "The higher levels of those amino acids make more cost from government agen- nutritional advantages of the new quality protein hybrid maize. of the grain's protein useful to humans and farm animals." cies that produce the seed. Quality protein maize was developed by CIMMYT in the 1980s "The potential for this new hybrid is good, because it's the only using conventional breeding methods. In 2001, Babu crossed early-maturing, yellow grain, quality protein maize available and lines of this maize with the parents of a popular, normal hybrid, has all the desirable characteristics of Vivek Hybrid-9," he says. In Vivek Hybrid-9, already grown by farmers in nine states of India. demonstration plantings, the new hybrid produced more than He then used molecular markers--DNA signposts for genes of double the state averages of local and open pollinated varieties. interest--to quickly select the progeny that contained both the The slightly different combination of parent lines used means desirable parentage of the original hybrid plus the quality protein that the new hybrid yields even more than the original. "This is trait. For this effort, CIMMYT provided donor lines, the method- extraordinary, because we'd tried unsuccessfully for years to devel- ology, molecular markers, and technical guidance along the way. op something that could outyield Vivek Hybrid-9," says Babu. May 30 is National Day of the Potato in Peru The Peruvian Government declared million tonnes. Almost half of the global production comes 30 May as the National Day of the from the developing countries while 40 years ago that per- Potato. This decision was centage was only 11 percent. It is without doubt that Peru announced in Lima through a has bequeathed to the world one of the most important "Resolución Suprema" signed by and indispensable foods in the diet of many cultures", he the President of the Republic and added. the Minister of Agriculture. The introductory text of the law emphasizes potato`s leading "This is an important development role as nutritional food since ancient times, not only in Peru, but that will help to promote and dis- all over the world: "The potato crop is crucial in the history, seminate better the exceptional development, culture and cuisine of Peru, especially for Andean attributes of this noble tuber" said Hubert Zandstra, then people; its genetic wealth has contributed to global food securi- Director-General of the International Potato Center. Dr. Pamela ty." The law states "that it is necessary to promote and revalue Anderson has since succeded Dr. Zandstra. [the potato`s] cultural diversity and the ancient technologies related to the crop, and to enhance its consumption." "The potato is currently the fourth most important food crop in the world, with an annual production close to 300 For more information, www.cipotato.org July 2005 7 Creative Thinking Brings Hope to Thousands IRRI's Monina Escalada receives her prize from World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn. What if spraying fewer pesticides did for developing innovative solutions to million each year on insecticides to com- more to combat the most harmful pest generate wealth and reduce poverty in an bat the Helicoverpa armigera pest that ravaging your farm in Hyderabad, India? environmentally responsible manner," attacks nearly 200 crops, including beans, Imagine if you could learn about science said Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman and cereals, and fruits. "Farmers commit the and integrated pest management while World Bank Vice President for Sustainable mistake of thinking the more pesticides, listening to a radio soap opera? Imagine, Development. "These projects show sci- the better" said Ranga Rao Gangavalli, too, if an Italian child could buy a ence for people at its best." ICRISAT plant pathologist who is leading Cameroonian gold fish as a pet. an effort to introduce new techniques to The Development Marketplace attracts a counter the damaging pest in India. The Three researchers--including two from variety of individuals and institutions from Center for World Solidarity (CWS), in CGIAR--who developed creative tech- across civil society, including academic partnership with the ICRISAT, national sci- niques that respond positively to these institutions, farmers' groups, and the pri- entists, and local communities is provid- thoughts were among 31 others chosen vate sector to work in partnership fight- ing Indian farmers with cheaper and as winners of the 2005 World Bank ing poverty. The three winners received more eco-friendly pest management Development Marketplace, a global com- over $430,000 in prize money. alternatives, including the nuclear polyhe- petition that supports innovative, devel- drosis virus (NPV) technique that causes opment ideas while delivering results in heavy mortality in pod borers without the fight against poverty. The Winning Projects harming other organisms. "The CGIAR and its partners are at the Traditional Technology with a Modern The NPV can be produced for one-third forefront of scientific innovation, essential Twist: Indian farmers spend over US$500 the cost of pesticides and creates addi- 8 cgiarNews tional income-generating opportunities approximately 10 million rural house- rivers in the rainforest areas of southern for farmers. "We anticipate farmers will holds. Cameroon contain over 200 species of save an average of $17 per hectare by ornamental fish, valued at $1.8 million using village-level production units, and "The scientific data on water manage- per ton in the international markets. participatory training will ensure the pro- ment, crop residue management, and However, overfishing and the destruction ject's long-term sustainability," asserted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of over one million hectares of forests Ranga Rao Gangavalli. already exists," says Monina Escalada, annually have caused loss of biodiversity rice researcher at IRRI and project leader. and increased poverty in the region. In an Environment Radio Soap Opera for "The key was to find a simple and acces- effort to capture untapped resources, the Rural Vietnam: Thousands of rice farm- sible medium of dissemination for which Cameroon National Agriculture Research ers in Vietnam use excessive amounts the humble radio is perfect." Radios are a Institute and the Organization for of fertilizer, pesticide and water that traditional, low-cost communication tool, Environment and Sustainable contribute to environmental pollution and soap operas are a popular source of Development, in partnership with the and resource degradation. Starting this entertainment across Vietnam. WorldFish Center, developed a business year, a unique collaboration between model to raise and sell ornamental fish social scientists, ecologists, and creative The biweekly broadcasts convey stories through a multi-stage capacity building writers will result in an informative and on effective plant protection using bio- program. motivational radio soap opera that logical control methods and the haz- teaches rural communities in Vietnam's ardous effects of pesticides, combining "In pioneering this initiative, we recog- Mekong Delta to reduce chemical use them with elements of human drama nize communities are searching for new on farms and cut farmer's exposure to such as love, conflict, childbirth and ways to improve their living standards pesticides. The project, pioneered by a death. In addition, farmers receive train- by developing competitive products they joint partnership between Vietnam's ing materials. can sell on the global market," said Broadcasting Authority, the Vietnam Randall Brummett, project leader at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Sustainable Use of African Rainforest WorldFish Center. The training program Development, and IRRI plans to reach Rivers: Many people do not know that will increase returns to local communi- ties by around 500 percent teach them techniques for safe fish capture, han- dling culture, as well as management and marketing skills. With a special focus on women and youth, the pro- gram will ensure future generations of Cameroonians are better prepared to face the development challenges of their time. "Innovations for Livelihoods in a Sustainable Environment," was the theme of the 2005 Development Marketplace, and 2005 was a banner year: over 2,600 applications were received from 136 countries, and 78 finalists were chosen by a jury of 34 spe- cialists. Finalists participated in a two-day competition and exhibition held in May 2005 at World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC. For more information, www.developmentmarketplace.org July 2005 9 HarvestPlus and Brazil Team-Up on Biofortification In a major boost to the HarvestPlus Challenge Program, EMBRA- In northeast Brazil, iron deficiency anemia affects nearly 50 per- PA and the Brazilian Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Science & cent of children under age two. Vitamin A deficiency is a chron- Technology and Hunger & Social Development have endorsed ic problem impacting mainly children in low-income families in the development of biofortified staple crops for northeast Brazil, parts of north, northeast and southeast Brazil. The biofortifica- and transfer of technology to Africa. tion approach has been designed to complement existing nutri- tion interventions being implemented in these regions so as to On March 17, 2005, a Brazilian HarvestPlus team of plant reach poor and undernourished people who may not have breeders and nutritionists presented an overview of the cur- access to other nutritional programs. rent state of research on biofortified crops to an audience of Brazilian policy makers and national scientists. The meeting Brazilian scientists from EMBRAPA, food technologists from proved to be critical for the endorsement of biofortification Brazilian Universities, and micronutrient specialists from around as a viable strategy to reduce micronutrient malnutrition in the world presented the latest HarvestPlus achievements in plant Brazil. breeding for iron in bean, and provitamin A carotenoids in maize and cassava. Over 500 nutrient-dense lines of beans from core Roberto Rodrigues, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply collections at EMBRAPA and CIAT have been identified and plant- hosted the event, and opened the symposium by affirming ed. Once harvested, these varieties will be evaluated for nutrient strong support: "The Ministry of Agriculture strongly supports content under field conditions. Over 1400 potentially nutrient- HarvestPlus as an innovative program with a multidisciplinary dense maize lines have been planted at EMBRAPA, and 1800 team in the areas of plant breeding, biotechnology, human native cassava accessions have been analyzed of which 60 high nutrition, food science and economy, in order to fight micronu- iron and zinc lines have been identified for further multiplication. trient deficiency. The Ministry has particular interest in the development and diffusion of technologies that will be accepted Thanks to these efforts by HarvestPlus and partners, Brazilian by the farmers and can cause an impact in the health of the policy makers have become key supporters of biofortification population," he stated. approaches to reducing malnutrition. Advancing Women's Leadership in the CGIAR CGIAR's Gender and Diversity (G&D) Program hosted its 10th This year could easily be described as "Year of Women's Women's Leadership and Management Course at ICARDA Leadership in the CGIAR," with a record three courses being in May. offered. July will see the alumnae of previous courses re-conven- ing in Mombasa, Kenya for the 10th anniversary Advanced "I enjoyed it immensely! The combination of personal analyses Women's Leadership Course. The curriculum will cover impor- and management tools made it an extremely useful course," tant topics such as understanding how women are "tested" in enthused Anneke Fermont, a cassava scientist with IITA. "I feel their leadership roles and learning how to respond strategically; better equipped now to solve problems. Hopefully, all my team recognizing how territorial games affect leadership and organi- members will reap the fruits of this course!" zational effectiveness; adjusting leadership style according to organizational changes, and acknowledging internal sources of The course covers multicultural teamwork, power dynamics, power, trust, energy and competence. emotional intelligence and networking. Nearly a third of the participants were women from Central and West Asia and An impact assessment of the CGIAR Gender and Diversity North Africa (CWANA) national agricultural research institutions, program will be conducted by the Center for Gender in thanks to support from the Syngenta Foundation for Organizations. This study will not only help G&D take stock Sustainable Agriculture. of the past, but also better prepare for the future needs of women leaders in the CGIAR system. "Before attending the course, I was rather skeptical because it was billed as a `Women's Only' course but I have now seen its A second women's leadership course will be held in October value," said Ms. Fermont. "Being with women created the safe 2005 at the ILRI campus in Addis Ababa. Participants will environment needed to analyze one's personality and to dare include the fellows of a new program for women scientists experimenting with new behaviors. It also enabled learning working in crop sciences in East African national agricultural from each other as many of us were experiencing similar research systems and universities. This new fellowship program problems." is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation. Another participant reflected, "The most beautiful gift the course For more information, click on www.genderdiversity.cgiar.org has given me is the power to give to myself, and to others." 10 cgiarNews Fighting, and Winning the War against Green Plague Pigeonpea is a major legume crop in the General, ICRISAT. "By identifying the Indian subcontinent, and an important causal agent of SMD, ICRISAT has won a source of dietary protein for over one bil- major battle. Varieties like ICP 7035 can lion people. However, farmers suffer dev- prevent yield losses and thereby enhance astating losses from sterility mosaic dis- incomes of pigeonpea farmers." etable crop. When the pods are green, ease (SMD) and the pigeonpea sterility Such breakthroughs could ultimately the bold seeds are used as a vegetable, mosaic virus (PPSMV). Now, thanks to an increase pigeonpea production by 20 per- similar to garden peas. When dry, the innovative partnership, a new pigeonpea cent in southern Karnataka. In SMD hot legume is suitable for cooking and con- variety--ICP 7035--released for cultiva- spots, yield increases ranging from 20 to sumption along with cereals. The ICP tion in southern Karnataka State is help- 90 percent have been recorded in the 7035 vegetable seed has 8.8 per cent ing farmers achieve stable yields. improved varieties, whereas local varieties sugar, the highest found in pigeonpea, succumb to the disease. comparable in sweetness to peas. Edible With support from the UK's Department portions of dry seeds contain 19.6 percent for International Development (DfID) PPSMV disease is regarded as "Green protein, 27.4 percent dietary fiber and 33 together with other CGIAR Members, sci- Plague," that spreads rapidly in farmers' percent starch, and the seeds are rich in entists from ICRISAT and the University of fields and renders plants sterile by inhibit- micronutrients. In addition, the purple Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, have ing flower production. Affected plants seed coat of ICP7035 has high amount of evaluated ICP 7035 for disease resistance bear no pods. Tens of millions of farm anthocyanins, a dietary antioxidant that in SMD hot spots. Significantly, they found families are affected, suffering massive provides significant health benefits. ICP 7035 was immune to infection by losses estimated to exceed $300 million PPSMV isolates as well as the mite vector. annually in India and Nepal alone. This dual-purpose pigeonpea variety is helping poor farmers fight the "Green "ICRISAT is winning the war against The ICP 7035 is a unique landrace that is Plague" while also diversifying their green plague", said William Dar, Director suitable for use as a legume and veg- sources of income. Planting Seeds of Agrobiodiversity Conservation in Young Minds The paintings show flowing rivers, lush School children participated in a painting ICARDA's Dryland Agrobiodiversity Project crops, and smiling farmers. These expres- contest to assess their understanding of is all about creating the holistic sions of creativity, by a small group of various aspects such as crop diversity, the approaches necessary for conservation school children aged 10­14, from Jordan, role of agrobiodiversity in human nutri- efforts to succeed. Lebanon, Syria, and West Bank and Gaza tion, in diversifying incomes, major fac- show that young children fully under- tors responsible for agrobiodi- For more information, www.icarda.org stand that agrobiodiversity is essential to versity degradation, the role life, and that its conservation lies in their of farmers and local commu- hands. nities in conservation, and the need for law enforcement. ICARDA's Dryland Agrobiodiversity Project, funded by the Global Project managers from Environment Facility (GEF) through the Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and United Nations Development Programme West Bank and Gaza, as well (UNDP) worked with the Ministries of as ICARDA and IPGRI, select- Education in three countries and West ed the winning entries from Bank and Gaza to introduce the concept among the 1,000 paintings of agrobiodiversity conservation and its sent by children. To demon- value to society in school curricula. strate the practical uses of Lectures, field visits to project sites, docu- agrobiodiversity to children, a mentary films, brochures and posters fair was held in Sweida, Syria were all aimed at increasing awareness in April 2005, followed by a among children--the future policy mak- tour of project areas in ers and custodians of agrobiodiversity. Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. July 2005 11 Researchers from IWMI and Khon Kaen University, Thailand gather at a soil remediation plot. Reversing Soil Degradation in Southeast Asia through Low-Cost Clay-based Technologies Chronic poverty and poor soils are twin Northeast Thailand's Land Development will be promoted throughout 2005. problems that affect poor farmers in the Department (LDD) has adopted the clay- Around 200 farmer families in 200 vil- developing world. Poor land manage- based approach which includes the use lages in Northeast Thailand are using ment practices often result in low agricul- of co-composted bentonite technology clay-based materials, indicating that tural output which threatens food and developed by IWMI. Combined with limit- approximately 20,000 farmers are aware livelihood security. Researchers from IWMI ed amounts of lime, bentonite offers an of this practice. In Cambodia, some 400 and Thailand's Khon Kaen University have eco-friendly and sustainable option for households are using clay-based tech- explored new approaches to combat and increasing soil productivity. Farmers nologies, while in Vietnam, IWMI was reverse soil degradation using bentonite accept this option because they recognize approached by the South Vietnam clays that rejuvenate the soil. This practice the potential of adding clays to soils. Department of Agriculture for advice on provides an alternative to current unsus- Research has shown that yields of organic the use of bentonites. Estimates show tainable approaches that treat soils using rice increased dramatically when organic that approximately 900,000 hectares in termite mounds or material dredged from composts and clay-based materials were South Vietnam could benefit from this reservoirs. introduced. This product, called LDD 10, technology. WorldFish Center Scientist Wins 2005 World Food Prize (continued) "We are truly delighted that Dr Gupta's The announcement was made June 10 in honors outstanding individuals who have lifelong dedication and commitment to the ornate Benjamin Franklin Room of made vital contributions to improving the making a difference in the lives of poor the U.S. Department of State by quality, quantity or availability of food people has been recognized," said Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President of throughout the world. Dr. Gupta is the Stephen Hall, Director General, WorldFish the World Food Prize Foundation. eleventh CGIAR scientist to have won this Center. "This award is a testament to the coveted prize. pivotal role that fisheries and aquaculture The $250,000 will be presented to the can play in improving the lives of poor winner on October 13, 2005 in Des For more information: www.worldfish- people." Moines, Iowa, USA The World Food Prize center.org, www.worldfoodprize.org 12 cgiarNews NERICAs gather Momentum Efforts to widen dissemination of New Rices for Africa (NERICAs) "The launch of the new project is timely," commented Inoussa received a boost in May, thanks to African Development Bank Akintayo, ARI Coordinator. "The advantages of NERICAS are funding for a new project to be implemented by the Africa Rice higher yields, early maturity, resistance to local stresses and Initiative (ARI). The project has four major components: technol- good taste." ogy transfer, production support, capacity building, and project coordination. Under farmers' conditions, NERICA varieties raise the yield of upland rice from less than 1 to more than 1.5 tons per hectare. "The launching of the AfDB-ARI project is especially rewarding With minimal application of fertilizers, yields can reach 3 tons for us because it validates our creation of ARI for coordinated per hectare. NERICAs mature 30 to 50 days earlier than other dissemination of NERICAs across Sub-Saharan Africa" said rice varieties, a trait that is particularly valuable for rural women Kanayo F. Nwanze, Director General, The Africa Rice Center. He to bridge the 'hungry season,' a time when food stocks from added that the project was endorsed by NEPAD as one of the the previous harvest have been exhausted and the current crop "best practices worth scaling up." is not fully mature. This regional launch of the project in Accra was significant not Upland NERICAs are planted on more than 100,000 hectares only for Ghana, but also for The Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra across Africa, including about 70,000 hectares in Guinea and Leone. For the three French-speaking pilot countries--Benin, more than 10,000 hectares in Uganda. The project plans to Guinea and Mali--the regional launch was conducted in tackle seed shortages, the biggest bottleneck in dissemination Conakry, Guinea. The launches mark the culmination of of NERICAs. months of preparatory work by ARI and partners for the $35 million grant and loan agreement to support dissemina- The Africa Rice Center and its national partners have recently tion of NERICAs in seven West African countries over five achieved another scientific breakthrough: the development of years. NERICAs for lowlands. The new varieties are already gaining popularity among farmers. Four lowland NERICA varieties were "We are equally indebted to The Rockefeller Foundation, released in Burkina Faso, and two in Mali in early 2005. which has championed the cause of ARI right from the begin- ning, as well as to Japan, UNDP and Sasakawa Global 2000 Dr. Nwanze cautioned that technologies such as upland and who are staunch supporters and partners of ARI" said Dr. lowland NERICAs alone cannot bring about an agricultural revo- Nwanze. lution in Sub-Saharan Africa. These innovations need to be com- plemented by political and social stability, sound agricultural poli- The project seeks to help small-scale producers in pilot countries cies, removal of unfair subsidies, improved infrastructure, public- to improve rice production and incomes through the dissemina- private partnerships, access to credit, competitive local and tion of NERICA varieties and complementary technology from regional markets, and political commitment at the highest levels. WARDA. About 80 percent of the targeted beneficiaries are "Only then will we be able to capture the full benefits of break- poor people living in rural areas, mostly women. throughs such as upland and lowland NERICAs," he concluded. The project estimates that about over 33,000 farm families will For more information, www.warda.org be involved in the participatory variety selection (PVS) strategy to accelerate dissemination of NERICAs. At the end of the proj- ect, an estimated 400,000 hectares of additional land is expect- ed to be brought under NERICA cultivation. The rice import bills of the seven countries are expected to be reduced by about $100 million. According to WARDA economists, rice demand in West and Central Africa is growing at 6% per annum--faster than any- where else in the world. The growth is largely the result of urbanization (which is growing at the rate of 3.5% per year in Africa, again the fastest in the world) and changing consumer preferences. As domestic rice production alone cannot meet this rising demand, rice imports in the region have increased eight- fold, to 4 million tons per year since the 1960s, at an annual cost of over $1 billion. July 2005 13 CGIAR Forging Ahead with Public-Private Partnerships An innovative initiative, dubbed "Scientific and Know-How IFPRI. "The SKEP initiative is helping solidify public-private part- Exchange Program (SKEP)" is forging stronger ties between the nerships in the CGIAR for the ultimate benefit of poor farmers." CGIAR and private sector. The initiative seeks to promote tech- nology and knowledge transfer between scientists working in The SKEP initiative arose from discussions in the CGIAR Private the private sector and CGIAR Centers. Sector Committee (PSC) which serves as a link between the CGIAR and agricultural private sector organizations in industri- The new initiative is off to an excellent start. Under the umbrella alized and developing countries. SKEP is guided by a three- of SKEP, a senior manager from Bayer CropScience AG will be member operational management team, including one repre- spending up to six months at the International Food Policy sentative each from industry, CGIAR Centers (Future Harvest Research Institute (IFPRI), researching institutional issues and the Alliance Office), and CGIAR Secretariat. For the first year, 4­5 role of food policy. exchanges are planned. "We are delighted to host a top manager from Bayer For more information and expression of interest, please email CropScience AG," said Joachim von Braun, Director General, psc-skep@cgiar.org Adapting to climate change and generating income with trees: a Q&A with Louis Verchot In February 2005 the Kyoto Protocol to countries to overcome. In a coffee- Q: What are the major projects reduce global warming came into force. producing country like Uganda, an underway at World Agroforestry Mitigating climate change and devising increase of only 2 degrees in the Centre dealing with mitigating adaptation strategies to help poor farm- average temperature makes 80% of climate change? ers is central to the CGIAR's mission the land no longer suitable to grow A: The Western Kenya Integrated because agriculture is one of the largest this cash crop. Ecosystem Management Project is contributors of greenhouse gases. developing carbon trading models for Q: What role can agroforestry play smallholder farmers. The carbon Louis Verchot, Lead Scientist on Climate in mitigating climate change in trade revenues, though currently Change, World Agroforestry Centre, developing countries? modest at $8 per ton of sequestered shares his perspectives on this challeng- A: First, agroforestry can increase the carbon, will be pooled for community ing topic with readers of "CGIAR resilience of farming systems to vari- development projects like sustainable News." ations in rainfall and temperature. seed production or improved roads Growing coffee under trees for for better market access. In Uganda, Q: What are the impacts of climate instance­shade coffee­will reduce we are collaborating with Ecotrust, change for developing coun- field temperatures and yield better and others, in a carbon trading pilot tries? quality beans. Secondly, farmers can project targeting smallholder farmers A: The impact depends on where you plant agroforestry trees that absorb who cannot access the highly-regu- are. Some countries will get wetter greenhouse gases and sell carbon lated formal carbon markets. and others will get drier, but all will credits to companies that want to get warmer. Climate change is yet offset their contribution to global For more information, another constraint for developing warming. www.worldagroforestrycentre.org 14 cgiarNews In Memoriam Ravindra Tadvalkar The high standards of the Jan. 17, 1950-March 10, 2005 System's financial operations draw continuously on the Ravi Tadvalkar passed away on March Financial Guidelines series that 10. Hindu last rites were said for him Ravi planned and inaugurated. on March 12, in the presence of his He inspired finance executives family, friends and colleagues. A strong to advocate and establish CGIAR presence was led by Ian instruments of accountability Johnson, CGIAR Chairman and World and transparency. He encour- Bank Vice President for Sustainable aged them to collaborate in Development. Eulogies commemorating the review and preparation of and celebrating Ravi's life preceded reli- key financial documents, such gious observances. He is survived by his as the CGIAR Annual Financial wife, Gauri, and two children, Chetan Report, and the Annual and Rashmi. Medium Term and Financing Plans. He was primarily "I had the privilege of working closely responsible for developing a with Ravi for the past four years," said conceptual framework for Francisco Reifschneider, CGIAR Director. resource allocation, whereby "Ravi's financial acumen, personable work programs drive resources, not vice the respect and trust of six CGIAR nature, and commitment to the CGIAR versa. Chairs, two Executive Secretaries, and were a source of inspiration." the current Director. He enjoyed cordial Ravi was fully engaged in the renewal relations with all his Secretariat col- In his eulogy on behalf of CGIAR, of the CGIAR and, more recently, in the leagues, whatever their calling. He Selcuk Ozgediz said "Ravi had a mental Reform Program that continues to appreciated their professional capaci- map of the CGIAR that no one else had transform the CGIAR. Members and ties, as they respected his. He was pru- ... His mental map showed all the Center representatives frequently dent, but embraced innovation. His checks and balances and understanding turned to him for guidance. He partici- wise counsel was invaluable. He had of the implications of any action one pated in setting up several units of the steadying words and an engaging could possibly take. Indeed, Ravi's CGIAR System Office. He campaigned smile when they were most needed. uncanny ability to keep track of and quietly but insistently over many years He was a great companion; a friend connect so many factors has been one for greater use of information technolo- who truly knew what a confidence of the greatest assets of the CGIAR." gy. He anchored the former Finance meant. He will be missed more than Committee, and was a pioneer in devel- words can tell. Ravi had a distinguished career, joining oping and broadening resource mobi- the World Bank Group in 1974, and lization programs. He was an early pro- As a tribute honoring Ravi's many con- transferring to the CGIAR Secretariat as ponent of diversity in all its forms. He tributions to the CGIAR, IFAR has Financial Officer in 1984. He rose to was unyielding in his dedication to revi- established a "Ravi Tadvalkar head its Finance and Investor Relations talizing IFAR. Memorial Scholarship," and the first Team as Lead Financial Officer. He scholarship has been awarded to Ms. served on the Boards of IFAR and the Ravi cared deeply for the entire CGIAR Namita Srivastava of India for work on CGIAR Gender and Diversity Program. System, respected its intricacies, and screening salinity tolerance in pigeon- His legacy lies in his overall contribution had a clear strategic sense of what pea and groundnut in association with to the growth and stability of the directions it should take, and at what ICRISAT. In addition, the CGIAR CGIAR, in the indelible stamp that he pace. His true "home away from Secretariat conference room has been left on financial management, in his home," however, was the CGIAR named "Ravi Tadvalkar Conference self-effacing yet effective leadership of Secretariat, where he spent long hours, Room." the System's network of finance execu- sometimes working on his own, often tives, and in his commitment to nurture with others, on diverse aspects of the For more information on IFAR scholar- the talents of others. CGIAR, present and future. He earned ships, www.ifar4dev.org July 2005 15 cgiarNews Editor Sarwat Hussain e s.hussain@cgiar.org Editorial coordination M. Caryl Jones-Swahn e m.jonesswahn@cgiar.org Published by the CGIAR Secretariat A Unit of the CGIAR System Office t 1 202 473 8951 f 1 202 473 8110 e cgiar@cgiar.org Future Harvest Centers of the CGIAR Africa Rice Center (WARDA) International Center for Agricultural International Plant Genetic Resources www.warda.org Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) Institute (IPGRI) www.icarda.org www.ipgri.org International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) International Crops Research Institute for International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) www.ciat.cgiar.org the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) www.irri.org www.icrisat.org Center for International Forestry Research International Water Management Institute (CIFOR) International Food Policy Research Institute (IWMI) www.cifor.org (IFPRI) www.iwmi.cgiar.org www.ifpri.org International Maize and Wheat World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Improvement Center (CIMMYT) International Institute of Tropical www.worldagroforestrycentre.org www.cimmyt.org Agriculture (IITA) WorldFish Center www.iita.org International Potato Center (CIP) www.worldfishcenter.org www.cipotato.org International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) www.ilri.org 16 cgiarNews